Heater assembly

ABSTRACT

A television/space heater combination device for displaying image content and for heating air and method of using the same is presented. The television/space heater combination device includes a television, a space heater and, sometimes, a frame. The method of use includes activating the space heater; selecting a temperature value for the space heater; generating heat and distributing the same into a room from the space heater; activating the television; and displaying an image on a screen of the television while generating heat with the space heater. The displayed image may be an image of a wood or gas burning fireplace generated by a continuous video loop; or be images from regular television programming or images generated by data transmitted to the television by a remote computer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/607,738 filed, Mar. 7, 2012, the entirespecification of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The current invention relates generally to apparatus, systems andmethods for heating air. More particularly, the apparatus, systems andmethods relate to heating air with a space heater. Specifically, theapparatus, systems and methods provide for heating a space with a spaceheater that is engaged with a television, and where the space heater isoperable separately and in combination with the television.

2. Background Information

Space heaters are used to heat areas of a building or a home withoutrequiring the central heating system to heat the entire home orbuilding. The use of space heaters may reduce the overall heating costfor the building because one room or a couple of rooms may be heated byspace heaters to a desired temperature, such as 70° F., while the restof the building may be heated to a lower temperature, such as 65° F.Space heaters are also popular because they are portable, generallyinexpensive, and are capable of being moved from room-to-room.

While space heaters are useful they are often unattractive, have otherdrawbacks and may cause problems. For example, space heaters tend toonly heat the area immediately adjacent the heater and don't distributeheat throughout the area being heated. Additionally, the grill at therear of the space heater may become clogged with dust and the spaceheater may therefore overheat or catch fire. Although some space heatershave anti-tipping devices that turn the space heater off if it is tippedover, some space heaters may tip over, overheat and still start a fire.

Space heaters generally include rectangular-shaped boxes made out ofplastic or metal which house electrical coils that are heated withelectricity. Air is drawn into the interior of the box and is warmed asit passes over the coils. A fan is generally used to draw a volume ofair through the coils to create a flow of warm air into the room. Knobson the exterior of the box are used to control the space heater toadjust temperature and to turn the space heater on and off. Other spaceheaters may have electric or automatic controls to automatically turnthe space heater on and off at desired times. Although currently knownspace heaters have both desirable and undesirable characteristics, abetter space heater is desired.

SUMMARY

A device for heating air which also includes components for displayingimages and/or video data. In one embodiment the device comprises atelevision/space heater combination which includes a television and aspace heater engaged with each other. In another aspect, thetelevision/space heater combination device includes a space heaterengaged with a television and a frame surrounding the engaged heater andtelevision.

The television utilized in the combination device is preferably a wallmountable high definition television (HDTV). The space heater is engagedwith the television and a frame is provided around the television andspace heater. The combination device preferably is mountable on a wall.The television/space heater combination device is configured to displayan image of a burning flame on the television's screen if desired.Preferably, this is accomplished by including a continually playingvideo loop in the device. Preferably, the television/space heatercombination device is completely assembled when purchased but it will beunderstood that the individual components may be provided as part of akit that is assembled by the purchaser. Alternatively, components may besold which enable a user to retrofit an existing television and spaceheater and engage the two together in the manner taught herein.

Preferably, the television and space heater are individually controlledby controls on the television/space heater combination device, and auniversal remote control preferably is utilized to activate ordeactivate one or both devices.

In a second aspect, the controls used to control the space heater aregraphically displayed on a portion of the television screen by a controllogic provided in a central processing unit of the combination device.For example, the television screen may be a liquid crystal display (LCD)screen and the control logic is configured to display a control panel tocontrol the temperature setting on the LCD. Other controls such as atimer for turning on and off the space heater may also be displayed onthe LCD as well as other controls as understood by one of ordinary skillin the art. The screen utilized on the television may be operated byremote or by direct touch on the television screen itself.

A method of operating the television/space heater combination device isalso disclosed. The method includes mounting a television/space heatercombination device on a vertical wall. Once mounted on the wall, thecombination device is set up to display a temperature value on thetelevision screen. The space heater of the television/space heatercombination device preferably is separately and individually activatedand a temperature value is selected. The temperature value could be setas “low”, “high” or an actual pre-set temperature value. The spaceheater is configured to generate heat to raise the ambient temperatureto approximate the temperature value set on the combination device. Itwill be understood that the television may be on or off while the spaceheater is generating heat. If the television is off, a video loopdepicting images of a wood-burning or gas-burning fireplace may bemanually activated and the television configured to display theseimages. Preferably, the video loop is a continuous video loop, meaningthe images are repeatedly displayed on the television screen. Forexample, a stored five minute video loop could be repeatedly played.

The method further allows for additionally selecting televisionprogramming. This allows a user to view normal television programming onthe television screen while the space heater is operating and generatingheat. The video loop is automatically deactivated when regulartelevision programming is selected. An electronic device may also beconnected, either physically or wirelessly to the television/spaceheater combination device. For example, when a computer is connectedthereto, the television is able to operate as a display for the computerand display the computers' desktop on the television screen.Additionally, images may be uploaded from the computer to thetelevision/space heater combination device. The images may bephotographic images or video content and the television may act as anelectronic picture book and display the images one after each other (orin a random or other order). Each image is displayed for a predeterminedtime or a random time. The television may be operated independent of thespace heater and the space heater may be operated independent of thetelevision or the space heater and television may be operated at thesame time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best modein which Applicant has contemplated applying the principles of theinvention, are set forth in the following description and are shown inthe drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a television/spaceheater combination device mounted on a wall and showing the space heaterdisposed above the television screen (which is displaying an image of awood-burning fireplace) and the spacer heater and television surroundedby a decorative frame;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a second embodiment of a television/spaceheater combination device mounted on a wall and showing the space heaterdisposed below the television screen which again is displaying an imageof a wood-burning fireplace;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a third embodiment of a television/spaceheater device mounted on a wall, where the frame is omitted and thedevice comprises a separate television and a separate space heater thathave been secured together prior to mounting on the wall;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a remote control operable to control thetelevision/space heater combination device; and

FIG. 5 is a flow-chart illustrating an exemplary method of using andoperating a television/space heater combination device.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a first preferred embodiment of a decorativetelevision/space heater combination device, generally indicated at 1.Device 1 is shown mounted on a vertical wall 2. Device 1 comprises aspace heater 3 and a television 5 which are engaged with each other andmounted in a decorative frame 9. Space heater 3, television 5 and frame9 are all pre-assembled into the television/space heater combinationdevice 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 and little to no assembly is requiredafter purchase. The purchaser will simply mount frame 9 including thetelevision/space heater onto wall 2 and device 1 is then ready foroperation. It will be understood that television 5 and space heater 3may be fabricated as separate components and then secured together byany suitable means such as by way of fastener brackets. Alternatively,television 5 and space heater 3 may be fabricated into a single orintegral device and then mounted within frame 9.

Space heater 3 preferably is an electrical heater that is constructedand operates as other presently known electric space heaters that areutilized for heat defined spaces. Although not illustrated herein, spaceheater 3 therefore will include some type of heat generating mechanism,such as electric coils, and a fan disposed adjacent the coils. Spaceheater 3 will further include wiring that is adapted to be operativelyconnected to a power source such as a wall outlet (not shown). Spaceheater 3 will further include an air intake (not shown) and a vent 10.The fan preferably will be disposed adjacent vent 10 and is utilized todraw ambient air from the room through the air intake and into aninterior of space heater 3. The fan moves the air across the electriccoils of the heat generating mechanism, and then pushes the subsequentlywarmed air through vent 10 and back into the room.

Television 5 may be any desired type of television, however, in thepreferred embodiment it is envisioned that television 5 preferably is aflat panel television. For example, the television illustrated is a highdefinition television (HDTV) or any other type of flat panel televisionthat is capable of being wall mounted. Television 5 preferably includesone or more speakers 7 built into a frame of the television/space heatercombination device 1. Speaker 7 may be positioned in any one of a numberof locations on device 1. Specifically, speaker 7 may be positioned in alocation other than that shown in FIG. 1; and any number of speakers maybe provided on device 1. Television 5 further includes a screen 6configured for displaying an image thereon. When television 5 isactivated to show regular television programming, the images of theregular television programming are displayed on the screen 6.

Frame 9 is mounted around the television 5 and space heater 3. Inparticular, frame 9 includes a top member 9 a, a bottom member 9 b, aleft side member 9 c, and a right side member 9 d. Top, bottom, left andright side members 9 a-9 d define and bound an aperture 11 within whichtelevision 5 and space heater 3 are mounted. Frame 9 may be fabricatedfrom any suitable materials such as metal, wood or combinations of thesame.

Device 1 further includes a control panel 27 which includes controlcapable of operating space heater 3 and television 5. Control panel 27may include a central processing unit which is operatively connected tospace heater and television 5. The controls are used to switch spaceheater 3 on and off and to set the temperature to which the heater willwarm the air in the room. The controls on control panel 27 are furtherused to switch television 5 on and off and to change channels asnecessary. As such, controls on control panel 27 allow space heater 3and television 5 to be separately and independently operated. In otherwords, television 3 may operate independent of space heater 3; spaceheater 3 may operate independent of television 5; or space heater 3 andtelevision 5 may operate together or at least partially together.

Control panel 27 may be operated wirelessly by a handheld remote control19. FIG. 4 illustrates a remote control 19 suitable for use to operatecontrol panel 27. In particular, remote control 19 includes an on/offbutton 20, a low heat button 21, a fan only button 22, a fireplaceimage/television video button 23 and a high heat button 24. The remotecontrol 19 also contains a standard set of buttons 25 to control regulartelevision functions. If a user desires to watch regular television,they use buttons 25 to do so. If the user additionally wishes togenerate heat while watching regular television, they engage either lowheat button 21 or high heat button 24. If they simply wish to circulateair in the room while watching regular television, they will engage thefan only button 22. If the user does not wish to watch regulartelevision but does wish to heat the room, the user will select thedesired temperature level using one or the other of buttons 21 and 24.It will be understood that control panel 27 and/or remote control 19 mayfurther include buttons which enable the user to set a specifictemperature value other than simply a “high heat” or “low heat” setting.

Television/space heater combination device may also include a thermostat(not shown) which is operable to sense the ambient temperature and toautomatically adjust the space heater settings accordingly. Theinclusion of a thermostat enables the user to control the heat outputfrom the combination device based on a specific temperature value thatis selected by the user when operating remote control 19 or controlpanel 27.

The user may additionally select button 23 on remote control 19. Whenengaged, button 23 controls the display of an image of a wood-burning orgas-burning fireplace (such as is illustrated in FIG. 1) on screen 6 oftelevision 5. Thus, device 1 may be used in such a fashion as tosimulate a fireplace in that an image of a wood-burning or gas-burningfireplace is displayed on screen 6 while heat is blown out of vent 10.

Control panel 27 preferably is also provided with an input/output (I/O)port 30. This port 30 may be used to connect television 5 to a remoteelectronic device, such as a computer (not shown), so that televisionscreen 6 may act as a display, projecting images from the electronicdevice onto the screen 6. For example, the television screen coulddisplay the computer desktop of a computer connected to the port 30. Theport 30 is a universal serial bus (USB) port or any other type of port.It will be understood that, alternatively, signals may be transmittedwirelessly or otherwise from a remote electronic device to television 5in order to display selected images on screen 6.

Alternatively, control logic on television/space heater combinationdevice 1 is configured to graphically display controls used to operatespace heater 3 on screen 6. It should be understood that the term“logic”, as used herein, includes but is not limited to hardware,firmware, software and/or combinations of each to perform a function(s)or an action(s), and/or to cause a function or action from anotherlogic, method, and/or system. For example, based on a desiredapplication or need, logic may include a software controlledmicroprocessor, discrete logic like an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), a programmed logic device, a memory device containinginstructions, or the like. Logic may include one or more gates,combinations of gates, or other circuit components. Logic may also befully embodied as software. Where multiple logical logics are described,it may be possible to incorporate the multiple logical logics into onephysical logic. Similarly, where a single logical logic is described, itmay be possible to distribute that single logical logic between multiplephysical logics.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a control display 8 is displayed onscreen 6 of the television 5 for controlling the temperature of spaceheater 3. These controls are operated using remote control 19 to selecta desired temperature setting. Timer controls may also be displayed onthe control display 8 for operating a timer. For example, controls for astart time and an end time for operating space heater 3 are displayed bythe control logic on television screen 6 and are operated using remotecontrol 19. Any other desired types of controls useful for controllingspace heater 3 and television 5, individually, may also be displayed onthe control display 8 and be operated using remote control 19.

Television/space heater combination device 1 may further include datastored in a central processing unit (not shown) or other electronicdevice (not shown) such as a memory. In addition to a memory, theelectronic device could be implemented with an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a floating programmable point gate array(FPGA) and/or another type of device that may store data and generate adisplay on screen 6 of television 5. Preferably, the data contains videoimages for displaying wood-burning or gas-burning fireplace images onthe television screen 6. For example, the fireplace images could be fiveminutes of video images that are continually replayed on the televisionscreen 6 when the television 5 is not being used to watch regulartelevision programming (such as that transmitted thereto by cable orsatellite dish.)

In other configurations, television/space heater combination device 1includes appropriate ports for enabling device 1 to connect to arecording and/or play back device such as a digital video disc (DVD)player, a video home system (VHS) or another type of electronic device.Alternatively, another configuration of the preferred embodiment mayinclude a recording/playback device built into the television/spaceheater combination device 1. Thus, a DVD player, a VHS and/or a computermay be incorporated into television/space heater combination device 1. AUSB port may also be included in device 1 to allow a Wi-Fi connectionfor a wireless network. Of course, those of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that other devices and features could be built into orconnected to the television/space heater combination device 1 and thatthe television/space heater combination device 1 is preferablypre-assembled before purchase.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a television/space heatercombination device. In this second embodiment, space heater 3 ispositioned adjacent a bottom region of television 5 instead of adjacenta top region thereof (shown in FIG. 1). Again, space heater 5 andtelevision 3 are either secured to each other by brackets or some othersuitable means, or are integrally fabricated with each other. A frame 9surrounds the television and space heater combination. It will beunderstood that instead of the space heater being disposed verticallyabove or beneath television 5, space heater 3 may be provided partiallyabove and partially below television 5, or on either or both of the leftand right hand sides of television 5.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of a television/space heater combinationdevice. In this third embodiment the frame is omitted and a space heater53 and a television 55 are detachably engaged with each other by anysuitable means such as connector brackets. Space heater 53 is disposedadjacent a bottom region of television 55 and the combination device 49is mounted to a wall 2 using a standard television wall mount (notshown). Because space heater 53 and television 55 are separatecomponents, they may be purchased separately and later assembled as asingle television/space heater unit combination 49. It will beunderstood that a separate frame similar to the frame 9 of FIGS. 1 and 2may also be separately purchased and subsequently engaged with thistelevision/space heater unit combination 49 if desired. It will beunderstood that space heater 53 may be disposed above a top region oftelevision 55 or adjacent one of the sides thereof, instead of beingdisposed below a bottom region of television 55.

Television/space heater combination device 49 includes a control panel59, a speaker 57 and an air intake/vent 53. Control panel 59 is similarto control panel 27 and includes buttons used to turn space heater 53and/or television 55 on and off. Other buttons are provided for settingthe temperature level of the space heater 53 to one of a low temperaturelevel, a high temperature level, or another specific temperature level.As with the first embodiment, control panel also enables the user todisplay the image of a wood-burning or gas-burning fireplace on thetelevision screen 60 when regular television programming is not beingviewed. The control panel 59 may have an input/output (110) port 30useful for connecting television 55 to an electronic device such as acomputer. In this way the television screen 60 may act as a displayprojecting images from the electronic device onto the screen. Forexample, the television screen could display the computer desktop of acomputer connected to the port 30.

Having described the components and the assembly of the decorativetelevision/space heater combination device 1, we will now discuss anexample method of the use and operation thereof. The example methods maybe better appreciated with reference to the flow diagram shown in FIG.5. While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the illustratedmethodologies are shown and described as a series of blocks, it is to beappreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of theblocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrentlywith other blocks from those shown and described. Moreover, less thanall the illustrated blocks may be required to implement an examplemethodology. Blocks may be combined or separated into multiplecomponents. Furthermore, additional and/or alternative methodologies mayemploy additional, not illustrated blocks.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 of using the television/space heatercombination device 1 or 2 discussed above or variations thereof. Themethod 500 begins by mounting a television/space heater combinationdevice 1 on a wall, as at 502. Television/space heater combinationdevice 1 is activated using remote control 19 and the settings of spaceheater 3 are adjusted by selecting a temperature value as at 504. (Eachof the actions taken to control the television/space heater combinationdevice may be performed with controls built into the television/spaceheater combination device, with remote control device 19 or by anothermethod such as voice-activated command, as understood by those ofordinary skill in the art.) The temperature value selected may be “low”,“high” or an actual temperature value, e.g. 72° F. At this point, thetelevision 5 is still off and only the space heater 3 is generatingheat.

The next step in the method may be the activation 506 of the fireplacevideo loop by engaging the appropriate control on remote control 19. Theactivation of this loop causes an image of a wood-burning or gas-burningfireplace to be displayed on the screen 6 of television 5.

The user may determine they wish to view regularly scheduled televisionprogramming, a DVD or the like. The method 500 therefore continues, at508, by selecting television programming by engaging the appropriatecontrols on remote control 19 or otherwise Activation of this featurepreferably automatically shuts off the fireplace video loop. Theselection of viewing television programming does not affect space heateroperation and, thus, the user is able to view regular televisionprogramming while the space heater 3 continues to generate heat.

The method may further include the step of engaging a remote electronicdevice, as at 510, either wirelessly or by physically connecting theelectronic device to combination device 1 via port 30. For example, theuser may connect a remote computer to combination device 1 so that thecomputers' desktop is displayed on screen 6. When this occurs, thedisplay of regular television programming is automatically deactivated.Images may be uploaded to the television/space heater combination device1 from the remote computer as at 512. The images may be photographicimages and the television may act as an electronic picture book anddisplay the images one after another (or in a random or other order) fora predetermined time, for a random time duration, or for another periodof time. This allows the user to view the images, as at step 514.

When the user no longer wishes to generate heat and/or utilizetelevision 5, the television 5 and/or space heater 3 is deactivated, asat step 516.

In another version of the method 500, the television/space heatercombination device could detect the space heater has been activated andthat the television is off. Upon detecting this, the television/spaceheater combination device 1 could automatically turn on a video streamloop that repeatedly shows a burning fireplace loop or repeatedly showsa similar heat/warmth related loop over and over on the television'sscreen 6.

It will be understood that while the above embodiments have beendisclosed as being a television/space heater combination device that ismountable on a wall, the device may instead have a housing instead of apicture-type frame. The housing may be configured to surround the top,bottom, sides and back of the television and space heater, and bepositionable on a horizontal, flat surface, such as a floor or on ashelf of a display unit. Again, in this differently configured “frame”(i.e., housing), the space heater may be disposed vertically above thetelevision screen, or vertically beneath the television screen, orpartially above and below the screen, or even on either or both of theleft and right hand sides of the television screen.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specificdetails, the representative embodiments, and illustrative examples shownand described. Thus, this application is intended to embracealterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope ofthe appended claims.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is anexample and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown ordescribed. References to “the preferred embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“one example,” “an example,” and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s)or example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure,characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not everyembodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature,structure, characteristic, property, element or limitation. Furthermore,repeated use of the phrase “in the preferred embodiment” does notnecessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may.

The invention claimed is:
 1. In combination: a television having a top,a bottom, a left side and a right side; a screen provided on thetelevision and extending across a front thereof; a space heater that issecured to the television adjacent one of the top, bottom, left side andright side of the television; a central processing unit provided on oneor the other of the television and the space heater; control logicprovided in the central processing unit to operate one or both of thetelevision and space heater; wherein the control logic is configured todisplay space heater control functions on the television screen; andwherein the television screen is a touch screen and the space heatercontrol functions are operable by touch.
 2. In combination: a televisionhaving a top, a bottom, a left side and a right side; a screen providedon the television and extending across a front thereof; a space heaterthat is secured to the television adjacent one of the top, bottom, leftside and right side of the television; a central processing unitprovided on one or the other of the television and the space heater; andcontrol logic provided in the central processing unit to operate one orboth of the television and space heater; wherein the control logic isconfigured to display space heater control functions on the televisionscreen; and wherein the control logic is adapted to selectively displayan image other than regular television programming on at least a portionof the television screen.
 3. The combination as defined in claim 2,wherein the control logic is adapted to display an image which includesa visual of a wood-burning or gas-burning fireplace.
 4. The combinationas defined in claim 3, wherein the control logic is programmable todisplay the image of the wood-burning or gas-burning fireplace only whenthe television is not operated to display television programming.
 5. Thecombination as defined in claim 2, wherein the control logic is adaptedto display an image that includes a temperature display.
 6. Incombination: a television having a top, a bottom, a left side and aright side; a screen provided on the television and extending across afront thereof; and a space heater that is secured to the televisionadjacent one of the top, bottom, left side and right side of thetelevision; wherein the space heater includes: an air intake; a vent; aheat generator mechanism disposed between the air intake and the vent;and wherein heat generated by the heat generator mechanism is adapted toheat air drawn into the space heater via the air intake; and todischarge air warmed by the heat generator mechanism through the ventsand into the air surrounding the space heater.
 7. The combination asdefined in claim 6, further comprising a fan disposed within an interiorof the space heater adjacent the vent and adapted to blow warmed airoutwardly through the vent.
 8. In combination: a television having atop, a bottom, a left side and a right side; a screen provided on thetelevision and extending across a front thereof; a space heater that issecured to the television adjacent one of the top, bottom, left side andright side of the television; a central processing unit provided on oneor the other of the television and the space heater; wherein the spaceheater further comprises a thermostat operatively linked to the centralprocessing unit and operable by way of control logic provided in thecentral processing unit.
 9. A method of operating a combinedtelevision/space heater device comprising the steps of: activating thespace heater; selecting a temperature value for the space heater;generating heat and distributing the same into a room from the spaceheater; activating the television; and displaying an image on a screenof the television while generating heat with the space heater.
 10. Themethod as defined in claim 9, wherein the step of displaying an imageincludes the steps of: activating a continuous video feed loop; anddisplaying an image of a wood-burning fireplace or a gas-burningfireplace on the television's screen.
 11. The method as defined in claim9, wherein the step of displaying an image includes displaying regulartelevision programming or data transmitted to the television by a remotecomputer.